With school getting out for the year for many students, Memorial Day weekend is a great opportunity for people to start going on summer vacations. That also means that the event slate in and around Dallas is slightly diminished, although there are still some fun things to do. They include a special music event, two symphony concerts, a new local theater production, a trio of concerts, two music festivals, and a march to honor the military.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, May 23

Emerge Coalition presents Evergreen [to grow]
Evergreen [to grow] is a musical experience through the traditional concert setting that features Caroline Shaw’s The Evergreen into a culturally relevant crisis, thus affecting everyday lives. This cross-discipline project brings about new collaborative experiences through the artistic and scientific lens, and raises awareness of climate change in the city of Dallas. The production, part of AT&T Performing Arts Center's Elevator Project, will have three performances through Saturday at Wyly Theatre.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2"
For the final concert of their 2023-2024 season, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2," featuring conductor Vasily Petrenko, pianist Denis Kozhukhin, and the Dallas Symphony Children's Chorus. Selections will include Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto and Walton’s first symphony. There will be three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Friday, May 24

Company of Rowlett Performers presents Fiddler on the Roof
Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story of Fiddler on the Roof centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. The production runs through June 2 at Plaza Theatre in Garland.

Diljit Dosanjh in concert
The crossover appeal of Indian singers has been limited in the history of music, but Diljit Dosanjh is proving himself to be the exception. The pop/hip hop artist has been big in India since his debut in 2002, even using that appeal to start an acting career. His three most recent albums have started to get him notice in the Western Hemisphere, and he even performed at Coachella in 2023. He'll play at American Airlines Center in support of his 2023 album, Ghost.

Gunna in concert
There's been a lot of beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake recently, but Gunna can make his own claim as one of the best current rappers. Debuting in 2019, he has moved at a breakneck pace, putting out five albums in six years, with each of them coming in at No. 1 on both the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop and Rap charts, and no lower than No. 3 on the overall Billboard 200 chart. He'll perform at The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory in Irving in support of his 2023 album, A Gift & A Curse.

Saturday, May 25

TwoGether Land
TwoGether Land is a new urban music festival, featuring performances by over 20 artists, headlined by Lil Wayne, Summer Walker, Latto, and Gucci Mane, among others. There will also be a curated stage by radio personality Bay Bay, featuring performances from Big Tuck, Erica Banks, Yella Beezy, Chalie Boy, Dorrough, and more. The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Fair Park.

Exodus Music & Arts Festival
Iconic gospel artist Kirk Franklin and Live Nation Urban will present Exodus Music & Arts Festival, the preeminent festival for gospel music and culture, spotlighting the genre’s superstars and elevating the vanguard of its next era. Performers will include Kierra Sheard, Naomi Raine, Koryn Hawthorne, Todd Galberth, Transformation Worship, Hulvey, Isaac Carree on Saturday, and Franklin, Fred Hammond, Le'Andria Johnson, Da'T.R.U.T.H., Anthony Brown, and Madison Ryann Ward on Sunday. The festival takes place at The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory.

Sunday, May 26

Carry The Load presents Dallas Memorial March
Carry The Load is a non-profit organization that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices made daily by military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Whether visitors are walking with the Relay or just want to show their support, these Community Events are a great way to connect with others who share the same mission. Taking place at Reverchon Park on Sunday and Monday, visitors can join for a day of remembrance, unity, and support for the military, veterans, first responders, and their families.

Neil Young + Crazy Horse in concert
After getting scared off by potential bad weather earlier this month, legendary singer Neil Young will go for try two for this concert at Dos Equis Pavilion. Young just passed his 55th anniversary as a recording musician, and it was just one year after his solo debut album that he started his association with the band Crazy Horse. Since 1969, they have released 16 albums together, including the new Dume, released this past February. They also recently put out the live album, Fu##in’ Up, featuring performances of songs from their 1990 album, Ragged Glory. (UPDATE 5-24-24: Due to an unspecified illness, this concert has been postponed again. A new date will be announced soon.)

Monday, May 27

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Parks Concert: Flag Pole Hill
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will kick off their Parks Concert series with their annual Memorial Day concert at Flag Pole Hill. The program features the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the Highland Park United Methodist Church Choir, and country music star Craig Morgan for a varied program of patriotic works. A fireworks display will begin at 9:15 pm to close out the evening.

  

Photo courtesy of Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne will be one of the headliners at TwoGether Land.